Dak Prescott emerges as NFL MVP dark horse as Cowboys rebuild both sides of the ball for 2026

When a franchise carries the immense expectations of "America’s Team," back-to-back years without playoff runs can ignite immediate urgency across the entire organization.

Few teams in the NFL have operated under as intense a microscope over the last few seasons as the Dallas Cowboys.

With head coach Brian Schottenheimer entering his second year steering the ship, new defensive coordinator Christian Parker taking over, and Dak Prescott under center, Dallas is aiming to prove that last season’s sub-.500 stumble was a fluke and that their explosive roster can climb back into the NFC elite.

The Cowboys experienced a bizarre, roller-coaster 2025 season, ultimately finishing 7-9-1 and failing to qualify for the postseason.

At their best, the offense was a sheer powerhouse—Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, ranking among the league's top passing leaders while feeding a dominant receiving corps.

At their worst, the defense was somewhere between non-existent and awful.

Dallas allowed a staggering 511 points (30.1 points per game), which finished dead last in the entire NFL.

The disconnect between a top-10 scoring offense and the league’s worst defense led to a slew of shootout losses and cost defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus his job after just one season.

QUINNEN WILLIAMS AGREES TO $105.9M CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH COWBOYS, LOCKING HIM IN THROUGH 2030 SEASON Fixing the defensive disaster was the top priority from January through August.

Dallas cleaned house on the defensive coaching staff, hiring 34-year-old defensive backs coach Christian Parker from Philadelphia as their new coordinator.

To overhaul the roster, Jerry Jones and the front office prioritized bolstering the defense through both free agency and the draft.

They selected top safety and pass-rush talent in the early rounds of the 2026 draft and signed veteran edge rusher Von Miller alongside defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia and linebackers Chop Robinson and Kenneth Murray.

They also re-signed star kicker Brandon Aubrey to a long-term deal and placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to preserve a dynamic receiver tandem.

On the subtraction side, Dallas parted ways with several depth pieces, including linebacker Logan Wilson (retired), safety Juanyeh Thomas, and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.